Plate loaded abduction-adduction press bar

ABSTRACT

An abduction-adduction exercise device is provided. The device may have a handle having a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length. The device also includes at least one hand grip movably attached to the handle and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle. The hand grip is coupled to at least one resistance means providing elastic resistance to axial translation of the hand grip along the axial handle length of the handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/287,983, filed on Jan. 28, 2016, all of which is incorporated by reference as if completely written herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of sports equipment, and particularly, to an abduction-adduction exercise device, and more particularly, to a plate loaded weightlifting bar having abduction and adduction functions for the chest, shoulder muscles and soft tissues of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional exercise devices may allow for exercise only in one direction, or may involve exercising only a single muscle group at a time. this is particularly true in the sport and pursuit of weight lifting. For example, in the exercise commonly known as a “bench press,” a supine athlete repeatedly raised and lowers a weight-bearing bar in a vertical direction, without any lateral movement. The present invention allows the introduction of resistance exercise in a lateral direction, i.e., in a direction approximately orthogonal to the normal path of an exercise device, simultaneously with the normal operation of such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its most general configuration, the presently disclosed plate loaded abduction-adduction press bar is a plate loaded exercise bar that allows a user to abduct and adduct the arms, defined in this specification is any type of motion of the hands and arms that tend to move the hands together, or apart, respectively, while performing weightlifting activities. The user abducts and adducts in a horizontal axis along the axial length of a weightlifting bar against resistance provided by resistance means attached to the bar. In one embodiment, the resistance means is in the form of springs wrapped about the bar, although any means of providing elastic resistance to the abduction and adduction movement is also contemplated. At the same time as the abduction or adduction motions are taking place in a horizontal axis, the user is simultaneously able to lower and press, i.e., lift, the bar in a vertical axis.

By causing the user to apply internal (adduction) and external (abduction) forces against the given resistance means; there will be a stimulation of the muscles of the upper body along with the connective tissue, tendons and ligaments of the arms and shoulders. It is important to note that while the device as presented illustrates abduction and adduction movements, the device, as claimed, can be configured to include only one motion, i.e., either abduction or adduction. Furthermore, the device could be configured for neither abduction nor adduction, that is, it could be configured for any linear motion in any vertical, horizontal, or mixed directions.

The user can move the handgrip or handgrips on the bar inward, moving the hands together, and outward, moving the hands apart, against resistance, while performing various motions such as by way of example and not limitation, bench pressing, overhead pressing, grappling, deadlifting, and shrugging, as well as other exercise maneuvers that would be well-known to one skilled in the art. The resistance may be linear, or may increase or decrease as the handgrips are moved. The resistance may also be variable in the sense that there need not be the same level of resistance in all directions, i.e., there device could provide, by way of example and not limitation, more resistance to abduction than to adduction.

The resistance means used is provided, in one embodiment, by standard straight coiled helical compression springs as they provide a very efficient linear compassion forces. The individual springs may be wrapped about a cylindrical bar and may be easily adjustable to increase or decrease linear resistance. In one embodiment as shown, handles are placed in an arrangement where there is one spring central to the handles, while there is one spring lateral to each handle. However, one skilled in the art will realize that there is no absolute number of resistance means required, only that the bar is optimally operable for both resistance to abduction or adduction motions, or both; although as noted, a bar accomplishing only one of these motions could be envisioned. The handles, placed within the resistance means as shown in FIGS. 1-2 help provide optimal grip and for near-frictionless movement in both abduction and adduction. Each individual spring may have ground ends which provide greater stability and smoother movement when loads are applied. In the case of resistance means, such as springs, that may post a risk of pinching the user, covers may prevent inadvertent hand or body contact with the resistance means.

In common embodiments, as the user places a linear internal (adduction) or external (abduction) pressure on the bar it will alter the length of the resistance means, in those embodiments using resistance means such as spring(s) or band(s). This alteration of length tends to compress and/or extend spring(s) when used, and the energy stored within such spring(s) will direct the spring to return to its original length. The internal and external forces used to cause the handgrips to move axially along the bar stimulates the muscles, soft tissues, ligaments, tendons and other structures of the upper body to become developed and strengthened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

Without limiting the scope of the exercise device as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view or the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an end (axial) view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

These drawings are provided to assist in the understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosed exercise device as described in more detail below and should not be construed as unduly limiting the device. In particular, the relative spacing, positioning, sizing and dimensions of the various elements illustrated in the drawings are not drawn to scale and may have been exaggerated, reduced or otherwise modified for the purpose of improved clarity. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that a range of alternative configurations have been omitted simply to improve the clarity and reduce the number of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An abduction-adduction press exercise device (10) is seen well in FIGS. 1-3. The preferred embodiments of the device accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements and methods that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. Again, it is to be emphasized that the teaching specifically contemplates a configuration suitable for abduction exercise, adduction exercise, both; or even for exercise in any one of various multiple direction. The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the abduction-adduction exercise device (10), and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present plate loaded abduction-adduction press bar (10) may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of utilizing the abduction-adduction exercise device (10) in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the abduction-adduction exercise device (10).

In particular, the disclosure is mean to pertain to any sports-equipment handle, and is specifically intended not to be limited to traditional weight-lifting exercises wherein a user might want to perform abduction or adduction movements, or both, while engaging in a traditional weight “press.” For example, the design could be implemented as part of a baseball bat-like device, to aid in strengthening grip. In short, for any exercise modality, the present invention is useful anytime when a user may way to include abduction, adduction, both, or indeed any multi-directional exercise into any form of exercise regimen.

What is claimed, then, is an abduction-adduction exercise device (10) that may include a handle (100) having a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length. There may be at least one hand grip (200) movably attached to the handle (100) and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100), coupled to at least one resistance means (300) providing elastic resistance to axial translation of the hand grip (200) along the axial handle length of the handle (100).

In another embodiment, the handle (100) is a plate-loaded weight bar (100), and in a still further embodiment, the handle (100) may have at least a plurality of resistance means (300). In one embodiment, the handle (100) may have at least one plate spindle (110) having an axial spindle length at the first handle end or the second handle end, or at both. In a further refined embodiment, the handle (100) may have a plurality of plate spindles (110) having at least one axial spindle length placed at least at the first handle end or the second handle end, or both.

In an embodiment utilizing one or more plate spindles (110), a plate spindle (110) may have at least one plate retainer (120) limiting the axial movement of a plate in at least one axial direction on the plate spindle (110) axial spindle length. In other refined embodiments, the plate spindles (110) may have a plurality of plate retainers (120) limiting the axial movement of a plurality of plates in at least one axial direction on the plate spindle (110) axial spindle length.

In some embodiments, the handle (100) may have at least one resistance means retainer (130) retaining the resistance means (300) in a predetermined position on the handle (100); while in others, the handle (100) may have a plurality of resistance means retainers (130) retaining the plurality of resistance means (300) in a plurality of predetermined positions on the handle (100).

In other embodiments, the resistance means (300) may include at least one central resistance means (310) and at least one peripheral resistance means (320) axially placed along the axial handle length of the handle (100); while in others, the resistance means (300) may include a plurality of central resistance means (310) and a plurality of lateral resistance means (320) axially placed along the axial handle length of the handle (100). Further, the resistance means (300) can include at least one central resistance means (310) and a plurality of lateral resistance means (320) axially placed along the axial handle length of the handle (100).

In yet another series of embodiments, the hand grip (200) may be at least partially rotable about the handle (100), while in some others, the hand grip (200) may be lockable against movement in a direction elected from the directions consisting of rotation about the handle (100) and axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100).

The handle (100) need not be straight, as that term is conventionally understood. In fact, in some embodiments, an imaginary line running axially through a center of the handle (100) and along the axial handle length and connecting the first handle end and the second handle end is displaced from an imaginary straight line path. Such “non-straight” handles (100) are commonly, but not exclusively seen, in weight lifting exercise involving the arms.

A wide variation of resistance means (300) is contemplated. In some embodiments, the resistance means impart elastic resistance by means of a helically coiled spring, but any and all means of inducing resistance, including other mechanical, hydraulic, and or magnetic means are envisioned. In some embodiments, the at least one resistance means (300) may be a variable resistance means (300), while in others a plurality of resistance means (300) can include a plurality of variable resistance means (300). These can include at least one central resistance means (310) and at least one peripheral resistance means (320) where each are capable of producing different amounts of resistance to axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100).

In one particular embodiment, an abduction-adduction exercise device (10) can include a plate-loaded weight bar having a handle (100) with a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length. An imaginary line running axially through a center of the handle (100) and along the axial handle length and connecting the first handle end and the second handle end may be displaced from an imaginary straight line path. Also, at least one hand grip (200) may be movably attached to the handle (100) and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100). The hand grip may be coupled to at least one resistance means (300) providing elastic resistance to the axial translation of the hand grip (200) along the axial handle length of the handle (100).

In another particular embodiment, an abduction-adduction exercise device (10) may include a plate loaded weight bar having a handle (100) with a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length. This embodiment, among others, may have at least one hand grip (200) movably attached to the handle (100) and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100). The hand grip (200) may be coupled to a plurality of resistance means (300) including at least one central resistance means (310) and at least one peripheral resistance means (320). Such resistance means (300) may provide elastic resistance to the axial translation of the hand grip (200) along the axial handle length of the handle (100). Such an embodiment, among others, may have a plurality of plate retainers (120) limiting the axial movement of a plurality of plates in at least one axial direction along the axial handle length of the handle (100) on at least one plate spindle (110).

Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the abduction-adduction exercise device (10). For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the abduction-adduction exercise device (10) are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An abduction-adduction exercise device (10), comprising: a handle (100) having a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length; at least one hand grip (200) movably attached to the handle (100) and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100) coupled to at least one resistance means (300) providing elastic resistance to axial translation of the hand grip (200) along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the handle (100) is a plate-loaded weight bar (100).
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the handle (100) has at least a plurality of resistance means (300).
 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the handle (100) has at least one plate spindle (110) having an axial spindle length at an end selected from the ends consisting of the first handle end and the second handle end.
 5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the handle (100) has a plurality of plate spindles (110) having at least one axial spindle length placed at least at one end selected from the ends consisting of the first handle end and the second handle end.
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the plate spindle (110) has at least one plate retainer (120) limiting the axial movement of a plate in at least one axial direction on the plate spindle (110) axial spindle length.
 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the plate spindles (110) have a plurality of plate retainers (120) limiting the axial movement of a plurality of plates in at least one axial direction on the plate spindle (110) axial spindle length.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the handle (100) has at least one resistance means retainer (130) retaining the resistance means (300) in a predetermined position on the handle (100).
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the handle (100) has a plurality of resistance means retainers (130) retaining the plurality of resistance means (300) in a plurality of predetermined positions on the handle (100).
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the resistance means (300) includes at least one central resistance means (310) and at least one peripheral resistance means (320) axially placed along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 11. The device according to claim 10 wherein the resistance means (300) includes a plurality of central resistance means (310) and a plurality of lateral resistance means (320) axially placed along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the resistance means (300) includes at least one central resistance means (310) and a plurality of lateral resistance means (320) axially placed along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hand grip (200) is at least partially rotable about the handle (100).
 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hand grip (200) is lockable against movement in a direction elected from the directions consisting of rotation about the handle (100) and axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary line running axially through a center of the handle (100) and along the axial handle length and connecting the first handle end and the second handle end is displaced from an imaginary straight line path.
 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one resistance means (300) is a variable resistance means (300).
 17. The device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of resistance means (300) are a plurality of variable resistance means (300).
 18. The device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one central resistance means (310) and the at least one peripheral resistance means (320) are each capable of producing different amounts of resistance to axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 19. An abduction-adduction exercise device (10), comprising: a plate-loaded weight bar having a handle (100) having a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length, wherein an imaginary line running axially through a center of the handle (100) and along the axial handle length and connecting the first handle end and the second handle end is displaced from an imaginary straight line path; and at least one hand grip (200) movably attached to the handle (100) and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100) coupled to at least one resistance means (300) providing elastic resistance to the axial translation of the hand grip (200) along the axial handle length of the handle (100).
 20. An abduction-adduction exercise device (10), comprising: a plate loaded weight bar having a handle (100) having a first handle end and a second handle end and an axial handle length; at least one hand grip (200) movably attached to the handle (100) and capable of axial translation along the axial handle length of the handle (100) coupled to a plurality of resistance means (300) including at least one central resistance means (310) and at least one peripheral resistance means (320) providing elastic resistance to the axial translation of the hand grip (200) along the axial handle length of the handle (100); and a plurality of plate retainers (120) limiting the axial movement of a plurality of plates in at least one axial direction along the axial handle length of the handle (100) on at least one plate spindle (110). 